The Reasons Behind Why You Should Shower Before You Swim

Do you know why you should shower before you swim? Are you aware of the effects of swimming without showering? Most of the time, the familiar “Please Shower Before Entering Pool” sign in public pools is violated, and most swimmers admit that they really skip showering. If I may ask, would you still want a dip in the pool where swimmers directly plunge without showering?

Now let’s talk about your pool, does the same thing happen? Or do you encourage your swimmers to take a shower prior to swimming? If you haven’t yet, then start implementing the rule for strict compliance for a clean and healthy swimming in your pool.

Why shower before swimming

Most of us are not aware of the effects of swimming without showering in our pools so that we just take it for granted. You may think that showering is necessary only in consideration of others who will have a swim with you; or to the owner of the pool to make sure that you don’t make it dirty.

Partly you’re right, but there are other important reasons why you should shower before you plunge into the pool.

Showering removes human wastes

Showering removes human wastes

Sweat, cosmetic and oil residues, and especially small amounts of human wastes on swimmers’ body, which may contaminate the pool, can be removed by showering with the aid of soap. Make sure to focus on cleaning your perianal area.

You may not be aware of, but traces of urine and feces could be present even if you have washed that day. These organic compounds when mixed with your chlorinated water cause the production of the strong smell of chlorine which is bad for your health.

Showering helps minimize the “smell “of chlorine

Showering helps minimize the smell of chlorine

It is a common belief that the stronger the smell of chlorine in the pool, the safer and cleaner it is. But the strong and irritating smell of chlorine is actually an indicator that it has come in contact with a lot of contaminants.

The more organics introduced to the pool, the stronger the unpleasant chlorine smell you get – and the increased risk of eye and skin irritation. Prolonged exposure to this strong smell is found to increase your chance of developing asthma.

Showering gets rid of the contaminants from our bodies and so, protects your pool. Therefore, a very little or indistinguishable chlorine odor tells you that the pool water is clean.

Showering reduces the risk of waterborne diseases.

Skin infections, swimmer’s ear, and diarrhea are among the common waterborne diseases that can be easily contracted in contaminated pools.

Human feces in particular may contain germs including “Crypto” that could cause diarrhea if contaminated water is ingested. It takes a maximum of three to ten days to for it to be killed in a chlorinated pool due to its tough outer shell. Talk about yuck!

Even if the chlorine levels are ideal, remember that it doesn’t neutralize the pathogens instantaneously. By showering however, fecal matters are washed away and don’t get to mix with your pool water thereby lowering the incidence of the said waterborne diseases.

Showering enhances the effectiveness of chlorine

The high level of contaminants may cause chlorine to be ineffective in safeguarding the health of the swimmers. Thus, it may not be capable of doing its job of neutralizing the germs in your water which cause waterborne diseases.

Showering eliminates the introduction of added contaminants into your pool, so that chlorine could carry on with its task of sanitizing your pool.

Showering makes pool cleaning and maintenance convenient.

The more contaminated the pool water becomes, the more effort needed to make it clean. More chlorine will be required which in turn will require additional pH decreaser in order to maintain water balance.

Plus the pool’s pump and filters will have to run extra hours to remove the contaminants in the water. However, showering may prevent these from happening and could even reduce your pool operating costs.

No added contaminants mean no added cost and effort. It could help you save time and money thus, pool cleaning and maintenance will be convenient on your part as pool owners.

Showering helps keep the pool clean and healthy

By showering, you are actually helping keep the water clean and reduce the spread of diseases to others. Now that we understand why we should shower before we enter the pool, it’s time to acknowledge the important role each and every one of us play in maintaining a safe and healthy pool.

So the next time you go for that refreshing swim in your pool, do your part — take a short but thorough shower first! Go, make it a habit and others will surely follow.